TUMWATER – A judge for the City of Tumwater is suspected of DUI and causing two hit and run crashes
Police say Municipal Court Judge John Lyman was behind the wheel and under the influence Saturday when he struck two different cars in different locations.
“It’s an outrage,” says Daniel Merscher, who came out of the Rivers Edge Restaurant to find his car dinged up. “Accidents happen, but to have a total disregard for human decency was outrageous.”
His co-worker, Tony Empens, saw it happen.
“He backed right in to (his) car and took off," said Empens.
Police say a short time later, the same driver rear-ended Dawson Cabbage’s car on the Yelm Highway.
“I assumed he knew he hit me,” says Cabbage, who followed the driver home and confronted him. “He was staggering a bit," Cabbage continues, "and I smelled alcohol on his breath.”
Officers arrived a short time later and arrested the driver, later identified as Judge Lyman. He was questioned and released and not booked into jail. Authorities say Lyman was cooperative and cited that as the reason why he was not booked.
Tumwater Police Chief John Stines says Lyman has not received any special treatment.
"I honestly believe that nobody's above the law," said Stines. "My feeling is that he will go through the prosecution process and he won't be handled any differently than a normal citizen."
Lyman declined comment when asked about the incidents Tuesday night.
The position of Tumwater Municipal Court Judge is appointed by the city’s mayor. Mayor Pete Kmet, in an e-mail to KING 5 Tuesday Night, says he has asked Lyman “not serve on the bench this week. He agreed and we have a Judge Pro Tem sitting in for him this week.”
Tumwater Police turned the case over to the Mason County Prosecutor to pursue criminal charges.
KING 5's Chris Daniels and Drew Mikkelsen contributed to this report.
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